Edward "Ed" James Johnston

Ed was born in Memphis, TN, on March 1, 1935, to Margaret and J. C. Johnston. He was the second of four boys. He was preceded in death by his parents and older brother John, and he remained close to his younger brothers, Joseph (Rowena) and Michael, throughout his life.

Ed loved life and his love gave life to all he encountered. He proclaimed his faith through action. His days were spent fighting injustice, welcoming the stranger, advocating for the marginalized, loving his neighbors, and giving all he could to make this world a better place. If he knew you, he loved you; and if he didn’t know you, he wanted to. His was a ministry of presence. He showed up—to cheer at the game, to visit at the hospital, to grieve at funerals, to dance at weddings, to listen at lunch, to celebrate life with the many he called friends. He had a huge heart, a quick wit, an infectious smile and laugh, and could brighten even the worst of days with one of his huge hugs.

Ed was the epitome of goodness and had a gift for bringing it out in others. In his company, you felt welcomed, valued, and loved. In any interaction, you knew you could trust his character, his sincerity, and that he had the best of intentions. Helping others was his biggest desire, and he did so selflessly and tirelessly.

Throughout his life he called several places home and was always grateful for the influences and relationships he built in each location. He was raised in Memphis where he attended Christian Brothers. When his family moved to Nashville his sophomore year, he went to Father Ryan High School. He later went on to seminary at St. Ambrose in Iowa and then studied with the Sulpicians at St. Mary’s in Baltimore. After completing his time there, he came home to Nashville where he spent the rest of his life immersed in the community.

Ed was ordained and served as a priest for 10 years. During this time, among other roles, he found deep joy working with the Daughters of Charity as chaplain at St. Thomas Hospital and as a teacher at Father Ryan. After meeting and working with Sarah DeBoth at St. Thomas and in Haiti, he fell in love and found a new vocation as husband and father. Sarah and Ed enjoyed 47 years together, raising their 2 children, Amy (Greg) Eubanks and David (Carla) Johnston, in Nashville. During this time, he worked for the State of Tennessee in a variety of roles, retiring as a Patient Advocate, where he loved getting to know, and finding solutions for, families. While he had many titles throughout his life, being “Papa” to his grandchildren, Emma, Hunter, and McKinley, was perhaps the most precious.

His loves were many: playing ball and competing, Camp Marymount, Notre Dame football, his van “Old Ugly”, family vacations (especially to the beach), sharing a good story, any time spent playing golf or in the water, and all things related to Father Ryan and his former students.

But his faith in the good Lord and his family were always first. He was ever grateful for the loving influence of his parents, brothers, in-laws and extended family. His children and grandchildren were the joys of his life. And no love was greater than his for his wife, Sarah. He would describe their marriage as “the best decision I ever made.” Her steadfast, conscientious care for him always, but especially in his declining years, would indeed prove him correct.

We are especially grateful for the many hands that allowed him to remain at home through his memory loss and the loved ones who walked closely with us through his last years.

A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, March 6, 2021, at Holy Family Catholic Church in Brentwood, TN. Visitation will take place in the church from 11 a.m.–1 p.m. and a funeral Mass will begin at 1 p.m. Covid protocols will be in place. For those unable to attend, the Mass may be viewed at https://youtu.be/Pi_zA3zrI6o

Honorary pallbearers are his former students, the Father Ryan class of 53, his Cursillo groups, fellow seminarians and priests, and all the dear friends who surrounded him throughout his life.

If you wish to do something tangible to celebrate his life, we know he would be most grateful for donations to Father Ryan High School Tuition Assistance, the Tennessee Justice Center, or the charity of your choice.